Apparatus for producing power.



W. H. DRUMMOND.

` APPARATUS FOR PRODUGING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1.911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l l W1. H. DRUMMOND.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POWER.

- APPLICATION FILED SEPT.11, 1911. 1,041,258.. Patented 001115,1912.,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. H. DRUMMOND. APPARATUS PoR PRODUGING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IIIIIIIIFIMJ 1,1% hueso@ W. H. DRUMMOND.'

APPARATUS -FOR PRODUGING POWER.

` I l l APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1l, 1911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

4 SHEBTS-SHEET 4.

oooolmoooooeoq n ml WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND, OF DENVER, COLORADO,ASSIGNOR TOi DRUIVIMOND ATMOSPHERIC PUMP COMPANY,` OF DENVER, COLORADO,A CORPORATION 'OF ARIZONA.

l APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POWER.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

Application led September 11, 1911. Serial No. 648,793.

To hall whom it mag/'concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND,a citizen of the United States,

residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for ProducingPower; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exa-ctdescriptionof the invention, such vas will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains'to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference markedthereon, which form a` part` of this specication. s Y

My invention relates to` improvements in apparatus for producing power.The mechanism includes any desired number oftanks connectedv with awater `supply source and arranged -to receive an explosive mixture atpredetermined intervals, the mixture being automatically andsuccessively exploded in the several tanks, whereby a vacuum is producedand water from the supply source caused to enter in response to thevacuum. As soon as the water has risen to a predetermined distance inthe tanks, the vacuum is automatically broken by opening communicationbetween the upper portlons of the tanks above the water level and acarbureter, whereby the explosive mixture is caused to enter, themixture being acted on by a blower to facilitate its rapid entrance tothe tanks. As soon as the vacuum is broken, the water begins to leavethe tanks by gravity, a valve being automatically opened for thepurpose. After the water has lowered in the tanks to a predeterminedlevel, the inlet for the explosive mixturelis closed and the mixtureexploded, whereby the remainder of the water is forced out of the tanksthrough a spring-retained valve, this water passing -to a reservoirconnected with a water-wheel, which the water engages as it leaves thetank, thiswater-wheel belng employed to develop power to movable partsof the apparatus, and also for other urposes. The water which leaves thetanks y gravity passes to a water-wheel or operate the tue of myimproved construction, three forces are utilized for power developingpurposes, one being the force of the explosion in the tanks, anotherthat developed by `the water as it leaves the tanks by gravity, and athird that developed by the water, as it is forced out of the tanks bythe power of the explosions therein.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Figure l is an elevation of the apparatus, looking inthe direction of the ends of the tanks, forming a part of theconstruction. Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe same, or a view looking inthe direction of arrow 2, Fig. l. tion, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l,looking downwardly, or in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 isasectional view in detail taken on the line 44, Fig. l, looking in theFig. 3 is a horizontal sec-v illustrating the connection between thetanks and the carbureter for supplying explosive mixture and also thevalve mechanism in connection therewith. Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken through a device for successively closing the spark plug circuit,through the instrumentality of which the explosions in the tanks areproperly timed. In this view, the parts are shown on a larger scale thanin Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. Fig. 6 is a section, taken on the line 6 6of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical, longitudinal section, taken through oneofthe tanks, the same being shown on a larger scale thanr in Figs. l and2. Fig. 8 is a detail view of a check valve for controlling the escapeof the explosive force from the tanks. shown on a larger scale.4 Fig. 9is a horizontal section, illustrating the connection between the tanksand two pipes, one of which conducts water by gravity to a waterwheel`or -motor, while the other delivers water to the reservoir, the Waterpassing to the reservoir under the iniuence of the explosions in thetanks. In this view the parts are shown on a larger scale than in Figs.1, 2 and 3. Fig. l0 is a detail view vot a check valve for controllingthe admission of water to the tank, shown on a larger scale.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a suitable framework upon which is mountedanum-l ber of tanks 6. The apparatus may be composed 'of any desirednumber of tanks or I units, the operation being substantially the samein character whether one or more tanks to a vacuum inthe correspondingtank, and

close under the iniuence of the downward pressure of the water, wherebythe latter maybe carried through other pipes for power developmentpurposes.v y l To one extremity of eachy tank 1s connected a valve 12 bymeans of a shortpipe 13. The valve casing is equipped with `a seat 14for a valve piece 15, having a stem 16 movable in a recess l17 of a plug18 threaded into the top of the valve casing. With the valve chamber 19above the check valve is connected-al pipe' 20,`which leads to an engineor motor 21, the pipe being con-l nected with the motor as shown at 22,as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The explosive force in each tankserves to open the valve piece 15, whereby this force is allowed to passthrough the pipe 20 to thev motor 21, the check valve' subsequentlyclosing wherebythe pressure'is trapped and prevented from returning tothe tank. At the opposite extremity of each tank 6 is located valvemechanism'23, comprising a casing 24 connected with the tank by a shortpipe 25, the casing being vequipped interiorly with a partition 26, inwhich is formed a seat 27 for a valve piece 28, whose stem 29 passesthrough va stuiing box 30, This stem protrudes beyond the valve casinginto the path of a cam 31, fast on a shaft 32 journaled in bearings 33supported on the tanks by brackets 34. One extremity of the shaft isequipped with a beveled gear 35, which meshes with a similar, andpreferably smaller, gear 36, fast on the upper extremity of a verticalshaft 37 the latter being journaled in a bearing 38, mounted on theouter extremity of a bracket 39 carried by a standard 40. The lowerextremity of the shaft 37 is journaled in a step box 41. Mounted ^n theshaft 37, above the step box, is a worm-wheel 42, whose teeth engage aworm 43, fast on a shaft 44, o erated from a water-wheel 45. This sha tprotrudes beyond the water-wheel on the opposite side from the worm, andis equipped with a 4pulley 46, which may b'e connected by means of abelt for operating 'machinery or doing work of any kind, the water wheelbeing connected by means of a pipe 47 with a reservoir 48, whichreceives its water supply from the tank 6 in a manner which will behereinafter explained in detail. The stem 29 of the valve 28 isconnected beyond the valve casing with a leaf-spring 49, which issecured to the to-p of the tank 6 by means of rivets 50 or othersuitable fastening devices. The opposite extremity of the springprotrudes between` two pins or lugs 51, .mounted on the stem of thevalve. The function of ,this spring is to automatically close the valvepiece 28 as soon as the cam 52 of the wheel 31 has released the stem.

The compartment 53 of the valve casing is connectedby means ofl a shortpipe'54, with a conduit 55, whose opposite extremity leads to a blower56 connected with a carbureter 57 for supplying explosive mixture .tothe tank 6. This carbureter is supplied Iwith gasolene, or othersuitable volatile liquid, by means of a pipe 58 leading to any suitablesource of supply, not shown.

Mounted on 'each' 4valve device 23 is a spark plug 59, whose electrodes60 and 61 -are concealed within .the valve chamber, the

spark plug being threaded into the valve casing, as shown at 62. One ofthese electrodes is connected with an electrical conductor 63 leadingfrom a contact 64 carried by, a ring 65. Four contacts 64 are mounted onthis ring, being equi-distantly spaced. The ring is stationary, beingmounted upon a frame 66%. The ring is composed of insulating material.This ring surrounds the sha-ft 32. To theshaft where the ringis locatedis applied an insulating collar 66, upon which is mounted a metal collar67, to which is secured a spring contact 68. The contacts 64 roject fromthe ring on both sides, and thelr inner extremities lie in the path ofthe spring contact 68. Hence, as the shaft rotates, this spring contactis successively brought int-o engagement with the stationary contacts64, whereby the spark plug circuits are successively closed through theelectrodes 60 and 61, connected with each tank, as heretofore explained.

through the. metal arts ofthe apparatus by means of-a con uctor 69,leading from one of the terminals of 7a secondary coil 70. Theelectrical source is designated 71, and

AOne branch of the circuit is completed its poles 72 and 73 are resectively connected with the primary coil` y conductors 74 and 75. Theconductor leading from the other 'terminal of the secondary coil isdesignated 76 and leads to the frame 66% supporting the ring 65, asheretofore explained.

Arranged below the tank 6 and suitably mounted above the water supply'source 9 are two pipes desi ated 77 and 7 8', respecposedshaft 81,journaled in 'a bracket' 82,V

tively. The pipe 8 is connected with the Y 40 explosive mixtures.

mounted on' two of the stand pipes 8. The stand pipe 8 of each tankisconnected with the two pipes 77 and 78, by means of short pipe members83 and 84, these pipe members merging into casings 85 and 86, (providedwith partitions 87 and 88, provi ed with openings normalty closedbyvalves 89 and 90, engaging seats formed in their respect-ivepartitions. These valves are equipped with 19 stems 91 and'92. The stem91 passes through a' stuiing box 93, and protrudes through and beyondthe pipe 77 in the path of a cam 94, formed on a cam wheel 95, fast on ashaft 96, suitably journaled and operated from the shaft 32 by means ofa suitable connection. As illustrated in the drawing, the sprocket wheel95, fast on the shaft 32 is connected by means of a chain 106, with asimilar sprocket wheel 97, fast o-n a shaft 20 96. Each valve 89 isnormally closed by a coil spring 4, surrounding its stem andinterposed'between the stuffing box 93 at one extremity and a stop 98fast on the stem 91, the said stop engaging the other extremity of thespring.

By thelopening of the valve 89 communication is establlshed through thecorresponding stand ipe 8, connected with one of the tanks, an the pipe77, connected with the water-wheel or motor 80, as heretofore explained.

The two shafts 32 and 96 are operated in harmony, and the cam Wheels -95and 31 simultaneously open the valves 89 and 28,

35 whereby the water escapes by gravity fromV each tank into the pipe77, and thence to the water-Wheel or. motor 80 simultaneously with thebreaking of the vacuum inthe upper part of t-he tank and the entrance ofthe valve 90 remains closed by means of a spring 99, surrounding thevalve stem 92, which protrudes into a recess 101 formed in a plug 102threaded into a casing 103, connected with the pipe 78.

Now, as soon as the charge of explosive mixture has been 'supplied to atank 6 and the water has reached a suitable predetermined low l'evel,the explosion takes place and the balance of the water is ejected fromthe tank by the force of this explosion. Just before the explosion takesplace, the valve 89 is automatically closed by being released from theoperation of the cam 94. The force of the water, driven out of thetankby the explosion, opens` the valve 90, allowing the water to enter thepipe 78, whence it passes `underthe force of the explosion into thelower part of the reservoir 48. As the water rises in this reservoir, itcompressesthe air in the upper part thereofwhereby the water is normallyunder pressure and passes out of the reservoir to the water-wheel 45, asheretofore explained.

e5 There is a valve 104 located in the pipe 47,

whereby 97. The shaft 44 yquantity `virtue of the opening of lthe waterpasses out of the tank, the explo- In the meantime, the

' the the water in the reservoir may be cut otl" from the wheel 45, ifdesired. There is also`a valve 105, located in the pipe 78, near thereservoir 48, whereby the reservoir may be cut olf from the pipe 78. 70

From the foregoing description, the use and operation of myimprovedpower apparatus will be readily understood. For the purpose of startinthe apparatus, it may be amumed that the reservoir 48 con- 75 tains asuitable quantity of water, the same i being retained therein by the`valve 104. -By opening this valve, the water may be allowed to pass tothe wheel 45, thus rotating the shaft 44 and communicating motion 80through they worm gear and the vertical shaft 37 to the shaft 32, andthence to the shaft 96, through the instrumentality of the chain 106 andthe sprocket wheels 95 and also operates the "blower 56,l which isconnected with the carbureter 57', as heretofore explained.

It must be assumed that therel is also a of Water in each of the tanks6, whereby their communication to the pipe 77 90 is sealed. The valves89 and 28 are simultaneously open, breaking the vacuum in the i upperpart of the tank 6, and allowing the water in the tank to flow into thepipe 77 by the valve 89. As

sive mixture passes thereinto, the operation being continued until thewater has reached a predetermined low level in the tank, when the twovalves 89 and 28 are released' from 100 the action of their operatingcams and closed by virtue of thei actuating springs 49 and 4, asheretofore explained. As soon as the explosion occurs, the water isforced out of the tank into the pipe 78, the check valve 90 be- 105 ingopened by the force of the explosion for purpose, the Water passingthrough the pipe 7 8 to the reservoir 48. At the same time, the pressureof the explosion passes out ofthe tank 'and through a pipe 20 to the en-110 gine or motor 21, the valve 15 automatically closing after theexplosion. The force of the explosion produces a vacuum in the tank.

and, as all the outlet valves connected with the tank are closed as soonas the forceof the explosion has been exhausted, the water will rise int-he tank through its corresponding standpipe 8 until it reaches apredetermined level approximately that indicated by the dotted line 108.As soon as this occurs, the vacuum will be broken in the upper part vofthe tank by the opening of the valve 28, while the pipe 7 7 will beplaced in communication with the tank through the opening of the valve89, and the operation heretofore describedwill be repeate From theforegoing, it. will be understood that the explosions take placesuccessively in the various tanks 6, by virtue of the successive closingof the spark plug circuits con- 13o nected with the respective tanks,and the other mechanism arranged to harmonize therewith. By virtue ofthis arrangement, any desired number of tanks may be arranged in aksingle plant, and the explosions therein successfully effected.

Having thus described my invention,what l claim is:

1. The combination with a tank and a source of explosive mixture, of aconduit leading from the explosive mixture source to the. tank, anormally closed check valve located in said conduit, a motor, acheckvalve-controlled conduit leading from the. upper part of the tankto the motor through which the explosive force travels to the motor, acheck-valve-controlled conduit adapted to connect the lower part of thetank with a source of water supplypto allow the water to enter the tankbut preventing its return to the source, a water outlet connected withthe lower part of the tank through the last-named conduit, above thecheck valve of said conduit, a normally closed check-valve located insaid outlet, and means for simultaneously opening the said check-valvesto allow the explosive mixture to enter the tank and the water to escapetherefrom during equal periods and at equally timed intervals, and awater motor to which the water passes from the tank outlet.

2. The combination with a tank, and a water supply source, of a pipeconnecting the lower `part of the tank with the, source of supply, aninwardly-opening check-valve located in said pipe, a source of explosivemixture, a conduit leading therefrom to the upper part of the tank abovethe water level, a normally closed check-valve located in said conduit,a water outlet leading from the lower part of the tank and connectedwith the water supply pipe above the check valve contained ther-em, anormally closedcheck valve located in said outlet, means forsimultaneously opening the check valves in the explosive-mixture-supplypipe and the water outlet pipe and holding the same open until the waterhas partly escaped from the tank 'by gravity, means for exploding themixture in the tank simultaneously with the closing of the last-namedcheck-valves, a ,second water outlet in communication with l the lowerpart of the tank through the said.

water supply pipe above the check valve therein and provided'with aspring-closed out-wardly-opening check-valve arranged to open inresponse to the pressure of the water under the influence of theexplosion in the tank, and a storage reservoir in communication with thesecond outlet.

3. The combination with a tank and a source of water supply, of a pipeconnectenter the pipe from the source but preventmg 1ts return, a sourceof explosive mixture,

-a conduit leading therefrom to the upper part of the tank above thewater level, a normally closed check-'valve located in the saidlast-named, conduit, a water outlet leading from the lower part of thetank and connected with the water supply pipe above the check valvetherein, a normally closed checkvalve located in said outlet, means forsimultaneously opening the check valves in the explosive mixture supplypipe and the water outlet pipe and maintain the vsame in the openposition until the waterhas partly escaped from the tank by gravity,means for exploding the mixture 1n the tank si-Y multaneously with theclosing of thecheckvalves in the explosive-mixture-pipe and the saidwater outlet pipe, a second water outlet leading from thelower part ofthe tank through the said water supply pipe, above the valve containedtherein and provided with a spring-closed outwardly-opening check-valvearranged to open in response to the pressure of the water under theinfluence of the explosion in the tank, a water storage reservoir incommunication with the second out-let, and a water motor arranged to beoperated by the water from said reservoir, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a number of tanks and awater supply source, of aconduit connecting the lower part of each tank with said sourcev ofwater supply, an inwardly-opening check-valve in each pipe, a source ofexplosive mixture, a pipe connecting said source with the upper part ofeach water outlets, to allow the water to escape f from said tanks bygravity, the supply of yexplosive mixture to each tank being timed tocorrespond with the period of escape of the water by gravity from thesame tank.

5. The co-mbination with a number I of tanks, of a water supply source,conduits connecting the lower part of the respective tanks 'with saidsource of water supply, inwardly-opening check-valves in the said pipes,a 'source of explosive mixture, pipes connecting said source with theupper portions of the respective tanks, a normally closed check-valveinterposed between each tank and the explosive-mixture-supply pipe, awater out-let leading from the lower part of each tank through the watersupply conduits above the check'valve therein, a normally closedcheck-valve located in each outiet, means fori auceessivel the watersupply conduits,

. each the tanks are opening; the check-valves' to'iallow explo 'vemixture to enter the saidtanks, means for-successively thel check valvesin the water outets .web b' lavit the su plyof explosivemixtureytogleach 5tank beiri)g timed to correspond to the period ofescape ofv` the water by gravity from the same tank, means forsuccessively reducing explosions in the several tanks, tile explosion ineach tank being simultaneouswith the cutting ofi' of the explosivemixture andthe cutting off of the gravity water-escape, a secondarywater outlet leading from the lower part of each tank through the saidwater supply conduits, above the valves therein, a springseatedoutwardly-opening check -valve located in said last-named outlet of eachtank, the said valve being adapted to be opened by the pressure ofthethe ex losive force.

6. T e vcombination with a plurality of tanks, and a water supplyjsource, of conduits connecting the lower portions of the several tankswith said source, an inwardlyopening check valve in each pipe, a sourceof explosive mixture, a pipe connecting said source with the upper partof each tank, a normally closed check valve interposed between each tankand the explosivle-mixpiuresu l i e, a primary Water out et lea ingfrgiii 5the Ilower part of each tank through above the check valvestherein, a normally closed check-valve located in each of said outlets,means for successively opening the check-valves to allow the explosivemixture to enter the said tanks, means .forvsuccessively opening thecheck valves in the primary water outlets to allow 'the water to escapefrom said tanks by gravity, the'supply of explosive mixture to tankbeing timed to correspond with the period of escape of the water bygravity from the same tank, means for successively producing explosionsin the several tanks, the explosion in each tank being simultaneous withthe cutting ott' of the explosive mixture and the cutting off oftherimar water escape, a secondary water out et lea ing from the lowerpart of each tank through the said water supply conduits, above thevalves therein, a sprmg-seated outwardlyopening check valve located insaid' lastnamed outlet, the said valve being adapted to be opened by thepressure of the water acted on by the explosive force, a conduit withwhich all of the secondary outlets from connected, and a stora eresereach of said conduits eads.

e combination with a number of voir to which 7. Th tanks, connecting thelower portions of the respective tanks with said source of water supply,an inwardly-opening check-valve in eachof to allow the water to escapefrom said` water acted on by of a water supply source, conduits'saidpipes, a source of explosive mixture,

lpipes connecting said source with the upper `portions of the respectivetanks, a normall closed check-valve'interposed betw eac tank and thepipe for supplying explosive mixture, water outlet ipes leading from thelower portions of t e respective tanks through the water supplyconduits, above the check valves` contained therein, normally closedcheck-valves located in the said outlet. pipes, means for successivelyopening the check-valves to allow lthe explosive mixture 4to enter the`said tanks, means for successively opening ine check valves in thewater outlet pipes to allow the water to esca e from the said tanks bygravity, the supply of explosive mixture to each tank belng timed tocorrespond with the period of es# cape of the Water by gravity in thesame tank, means for successively producing explosions in the tanks, theexplosion in each tank being simultaneous with the cutting olf of theexplosive mixture from the tank and the cutting otf of the gravitywaterescape, secondary water outlet pipes leading from the lowerportions of the respective tanks through the said water supply conduits,above the valves therein, spring-seated outwardly-opening check-valves.located in said outlet pipes, adapted to be opened kby the pressure ofthe water acted on by the explosive force, a conduit with which all oft-he secondary outlets rom the tanks are connected, a storage reservoirto which said last-named conduit leads, and awaier motor connected inoperative relation with said reservoir. 4

8. The combination with a tank and a source of water supply, of a pipeleading from the said source of su ply and connected with the lower partci) the said tank and equipped with an inwardly-opening check-valve, apipe leading from the upper part of the tank, a motor with which saidpipe is connected, a check-valve located in said last-named pipe, asource of explosive mixture, a pipe leading from said source to theupper part of the tanka normally closed check-valve interposed in thesaid pipe for regulatin the supply of explosive mlxture to the tan awater outlet pipe leading from the tank through the first-named pipeabove the check valve therein, anormally closed check valve located insaid pipe, means for simultaneously opening the check valve forregulating the supply of explosive mixture to the tank and the checkvalve located in the water outlet pipe, a Water motor connected toreceive the water from the water outlet pipe, a secondary water outletincommunicatlcn with the lower art of the tank through the said first-namepipe, above the valve therein, a normally closed outwardlyopening checkvalve located in the secondary outlet and adapted to open in response tothe said ,valves being.

the explosive force within the tank, a reservoir wlth which/thesecondary outlet is connected, a water motor in communication with thesaid reservoir, and means for exploding the explosive mixture within thetank when the -water has4 reached a. predetermined low level, themechanism being arranged to produce the said explosion simultaneouslywith the cutting off of the supply of explosive y 1,041,253 A f mixtureto the tank and the cutting o of 1c the escape of the water to theprimary water outlet, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I kaliiix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND. Witnesses:

A. J. OBBIEN, C. E.v BRDEN.

